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Hello, my name is Debra (Debbee) Lukacsko, and I am running for a seat on the North Kingstown School Committee. Since January, I have been on the School Committee where I have gained firsthand knowledge of the processes and issues facing the schools of North Kingstown. With my
experience from here and my 8 years in New Jersey, I believe I have the motivation, the vision and the new focus needed to improve the school system for all the students.
When it comes to being an effective member of the North Kingstown School Committee, experience matters. There are many issues facing Public Education today. The most obvious is funding. We need a budget that is used to provide the best educational experience that improves all students’ academic outcomes and closes the academic gaps that exist between the schools and the students. Period!
Prior to moving here 2 years ago, I was the medical director at a college in New Jersey for 23 years. There I was responsible for the budget of my department and the EMS Division, and I also worked with State budgets and State budgeting processes. I have taken the past 6 months as a School Committee member to learn about the budgeting process here in North Kingstown as well as in the State of Rhode Island.
All students should be guaranteed a safe and supportive learning environment. This also includes having safe buildings for all students to attend. I fully support the on-going repairs being made to the buildings, continual maintenance and I support a new Wickford Middle School.
My background is that of a Paramedic, an Emergency/Trauma Nurse and as a Nurse Practitioner. I chaired the Health & Safety Committee, and the Pandemic Committee during Covid at the College. My background by nature is health, safety and security focused. I will continue to support the effort of the Administration in providing the healthiest, safest and most secure school environment possible for students, faculty and staff. And I will work diligently with the Administration to make sure all our students feel supported and safe. Here again, experience matters.
My next priority will be to continue to work with the Wellness Sub-Committee to ensure that all the policies and procedures related to health are current and up to date. My focus will be that policies should not be punitive in nature but rather corrective. For example, suspending an athlete from participating in a sport due to a tobacco violation does not stop the behavior, however, mandatory education and support for cessation has been shown to work repeatedly.
I also fully support all our students, not just those who are entering college or a military academy. Yes, North Kingstown High School does a great job for those students, but I strongly believe that there is more that can be done for the students not taking that pathway. The Career & Technical Education (CTE) program at North Kingston High School for Machinist is a great program and was approved at the last School Committee Meeting. Here we have that availability to provide a viable trade to the students while keeping them at the high school. The CTE program is that pathway and I look forward to seeing this program and perhaps others become part of the North Kingstown High School.
I am a product of public education from kindergarten through my Nurse Practitioner training program. Students in public education deserve the same education as a student who attends a private school or a charter school. As a retired medical professional who has worked in the educational system for more than 37 years in total, I now have the time needed to devote myself full time to the students of North Kingstown. With me as a member of the School Committee, students/parents/guardians/educators/staff will be seen, valued, and heard. This is why I am asking for your support for my candidacy for the North Kingstown School Committee this November. Why vote for me: because my experience matters!
Respectfully submitted:
Debra Lukacsko
Candidate for North Kingstown School Committee
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